Kings' Playoff Push Hits a Snag Post-Olympic Break
The Los Angeles Kings find themselves in a critical stretch, needing wins to close the gap in the playoff race. Coming out of the Olympic break, they sit three points shy of a playoff spot, and the urgency to perform is palpable.
However, the Kings stumbled out of the gate, delivering two of their poorest performances back-to-back. Points are crucial, especially against divisional rivals, and the Kings missed a golden opportunity against a depleted Vegas Golden Knights squad, losing 6-4 after conceding three goals in just 4.5 minutes.
The disappointment didn’t end there. Facing the Edmonton Oilers, a team just four points ahead, the Kings suffered an 8-1 drubbing. It was a night to forget, but head coach Jim Hiller was quick to refocus, emphasizing preparation for their next matchup against the Calgary Flames.
“Tonight was a smacking, there’s no denying that. My greatest concern is how can we pick ourselves back up and have energy…Listen, we didn’t feel good tonight.
I don’t feel good standing here. Those players don’t feel good, but we got a job to do come Saturday and we got to go win a game,” Hiller stated.
Struggles in Defense and Goaltending
The Kings had a chance to make a statement post-break, especially with new acquisition Artemi Panarin in the lineup. But instead, they faltered, allowing 14 goals over two games. The defensive structure that has kept them competitive was nowhere to be found.
Anze Kopitar highlighted the need for a return to their stingy defensive play: “We got to keep the pucks out of our net, whether it’s structure, individual effort, sacrifice, blocking shots, winning faceoffs, you name it. All of the above.”
Goaltending, usually a strength, was another area of concern. Anton Forsberg and Darcy Kuemper struggled mightily against the Oilers, allowing eight goals on 37 shots. The advanced metrics painted a grim picture, with both goaltenders underperforming significantly.
Team Morale and Future Prospects
Despite the setbacks, both Kopitar and Mikey Anderson dismissed the notion of the team giving up on their coach. “We have got to figure out within here to get this on the right track,” Kopitar remarked.
The Kings have relied heavily on close games and the occasional loser point, but recent performances have been anything but close. With 24 games remaining, Hiller remains optimistic about a turnaround.
“I believe in our team, I really do,” he said. “We are going to get on a run and win six or seven or eight games in a row, I know it.”
Yet, the Kings’ recent form raises questions. With only two regulation wins in their last 17 games and a four-game losing streak, the pressure is mounting. Kopitar acknowledged the urgency: “We’ve got to get on track here, real, real quick.”
As the Kings navigate the remainder of the season, the focus will be on rediscovering their defensive identity and reigniting their playoff hopes. If they can’t, they might find themselves further from the playoff picture than they’d like.